Melbourne's Best Laneway Cafes

We love our laneways here in Melbourne. There is nothing quite like stumbling upon an unexpected cafe down a laneway- and the danker and darker the better. There are many laneway cafes worth mentioning in Melbourne, but here I will highlight a few that deserve their moment in the spotlight:


1. Vertue of the Coffee Drink

Recently opened in Carlton The Vertue of the Coffee Drink ticks all the boxes - it is well hidden down a back laneway, the food, coffee, architecture are all stunning and service is really efficient too.

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2. Switchboard

An oldie but a goodie. Tucked in to Manchester Unity Arcade off Swanston St this hole in the wall is so central and a perennial favourite.

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3. Che Dre

Up a cobblestoned laneway Che Dre produces the most amazing cakes and pastries. The subtile entrance doesn't hint at the scale of this place.

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4. Krimper

I love the setting of this place - cobbles, bluestone, laneways off laneways... The cafe itself is great too - true to it's heritage with several vintage features retained.



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5. Little King

So Cute! Vintage quaintness just a stones throw from Fed Square.
This place is tiny, but a smattering of outdoor laneway seating allows for a few more bums on seats...

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6. Patricia

Beautiful, minimalist, coffee-focussed and standing room only...

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Patricia is also featured in Espresso Tales Magazine Volume Two







7. Hoboken

Graffitied within an inch of it's life, this oft-photographed cafe in an oft-photographed laneway adjacent to Fed Square is well located and actually simple and laid-back once inside...

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8. Raw Trader

A recent find - this suits me to a tee with my recent vegan explorations. Coffee from Melbourne roaster Red Star and all food home-made and raw, vegan, gluten free, sugar free etc...

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9. Little Mule

A coffee shop but also a bike shop. Very Melbourne indeed....

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10. Captains of Industry

I love this pace. It feels kinda underground-speakeasy-gentleman's club-ish. And not only up a laneway but also up a flight of stairs. So there.

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Words and photos www.rhphoto.com.au

Raw Trader

Raw Trader, cafe
10 Sutherland St,
Melbourne VIC 3000

Raw Trader is all about keeping their healthy treats raw, vegan, sugar free, gluten free (etc etc).
Luckily they still serve a good hot coffee - not sure if they serve coffee with cows milk, actually, as I order soy anyway... but hot coffee all the same and home made nut milks are on offer too.

The laneway location, creative interiors and wholesome yummies definitely make this one to add to your city circuit!

The Vertue of the Coffee Drink

The Vertue of the Coffee Drink
8 Raffa Place
Carlton
Melbourne 3053

There is nothing like that first visit to a really 'Wow' venue.... This place has wow. It is certainly in part to the unexpected location, past bins and vans and garage doors, but then to enter into a cavernous space is stunning and unexpected. There are also some truly unique features to the space, like the locally crafted timber stools (made by Michael Kelly in his adjacent workshop), the gem-like light fittings and the gorgeous original barn doors. My coffee was perfect too :)

all photos by www.rhphoto.com.au

Little Rogue Coffee

Little Rogue Coffe

12 Drewery Lane

Melbourne 3000

This little place proves that Melbourne laneways are still far from full, when it comes to cafes (bars, restaurants and boutiques). This little spot is really central and a welcome addition in inner city offerings...

all photos by Rebecca Hughes Photography

www.rhphoto.com.au

Krimper

Krimper
20 Guildford Ln, 
VIC 3000

Ahh, Melbourne, we do love a good laneway cafe, don't we? The harder to find and the gloomier the laneway the better. Top marks to Krimper then!

This is the perfect winter hideout with great coffee and smiley staff.

I love so many details about this place. The door, for starters. My profile portrait was actually taken in front of this door a few years back! (See?) Exposed brick may have been done before, but here it is perfect for adding warmth and character to this cavernous space. This is a really photogenic space - so I'll let the pictures fill in the blanks...

all photos www.rhphoto.com.au